Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 October 2014
In this study a visual screening procedure and a forced arm training procedure were compared within an alternating treatments design in terms of their effects in reducing self-injury in an intellectually disabled boy. Visual screening was found to be clearly the superior procedure, producing a marked decrease in the rate of self-injury. Subsequent experimental phases combined visual screening first with toy play training and then with contingent social interaction. Further marked decreases in self-injury occurred, which remained in evidence at a four month follow-up. Generalisation data were obtained from both morning and afternoon sessions. Collateral behaviour change was monitored in both treatment and generalisation sessions, generally indicating increases in neutral behaviours and reductions in self-stimulatory behaviours accompanying reductions in self-injury. Implications of these results for examining the wider physical and social contexts in which self-injury occurs were noted.